We are equipped
to care for a variety
of species of animals
that most shelters
cannot help.
Our Four-Footed Friends is a
publication of the Animal Rescue
League of Boston, 10 Chandler
Street, Boston, MA 02116. Please
address all editorial and subscription
correspondence to us at the address
above, attention Our Four-Footed
Friends Managing Editor.
——————————————

Message from the President
A community of unwavering
champions for animals in need
ARL’s President Mary Nee with Cookie.

F

or the past two years we have
engaged in conversation and
reflection with ARL’s staff,
volunteers, and supporters, along
with colleagues in the field, to examine
the most pressing needs of animals
in Massachusetts and determine the
ways we are best able to respond to
these needs.

This reflection began with an
examination of ARL’s mission — our
reason for being — and, a question,
how will we know if we are achieving
our mission?
Today, I am delighted to share with
you our newly adopted mission:

In the coming months and years
this mission will guide current and
future programs to protect animals in
need and, to support the people who
care for them.
This work will be informed by the
conditions we see every day through
our unique, on-the-ground services
including: emergency rescue, law
enforcement, shelter veterinary
medicine, and our community-based
Spay Waggin’. From these programs
we witness first-hand, animal
suffering, gaps in services and law,
and the struggles and barriers faced
by the people who care for animals
in our communities.

We are an unwavering
champion for animals in
need, committed to keeping
them safe and healthy in
habitats and homes.

Your support for these critical
programs, along with the work of
our three animal adoption centers, is
essential. We receive no government
funding and rely solely on the
contributions of people like you
who believe in our mission.

Underlying this mission statement is
our deep commitment to preventing
cruelty and neglect, targeting our
resources towards animals most in
need, and whenever possible, keeping
animals in loving homes or their
natural habitats.

One of our first initiatives
to advance this mission is the
introduction of a formal advocacy
program led by ARL’s first Director of
Advocacy, Nadine Pellegrini. We are
fortunate to have found a passionate
and talented leader in Nadine.
(Please see her profile on page 4.)

2 Our Four-Footed Friends | Spring 2016

The ARL has had a long and proud
history of advocating for animals. We
are now deepening this commitment
with dedicated staff and volunteers
to organize our work for legislation
and public policy, and to raise public
awareness and action to protect
more animals in Massachusetts
and beyond.
In the end, we will measure our
success by how we can prevent or
reduce the kind of harm experienced
by Stitch, Wilson, and Chicken Little,
whose difficult stories are profiled in
this edition.
As our strategies progress, I will
continue to update you on the details
of our plans for the future and of the
opportunities for your participation
in this important work.
Your support for the ARL has
demonstrated that you are an
“unwavering champion for animals in
need.” Together, with compassionate
and caring people like you, we will
realize our mission.
Sincerely,

The ARL receives no government or public funding
to keep animals safe and healthy in our community.
THANK YOU for making a difference for animals in need!
ARLBOSTON.ORG/DONATE
arlboston.org 3

Meet Nadine Pellegrini,
ARL’s Director of Advocacy

Nadine’s advocacy efforts will help animals
like Brandi.

E

arlier this year, the ARL
welcomed aboard its first Director
of Advocacy, Nadine Pellegrini.
In her new role, Nadine will develop
and coordinate ARL’s legislative agenda
to advance legislation and public policy
that improves the welfare of animals in
Massachusetts and beyond.
In her 25 years as a former Assistant
U.S. Attorney in Boston, Nadine
worked on a variety of animal welfare
cases. As Chief of the major crimes
unit, she prosecuted cases involving
the enforcement of the Endangered
Species Act, Marine Mammal
Protection Act, the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act, and more.
She also taught animal law at
Boston College Law School and gave
lectures on federal wildlife protection
at the Tufts Center for Animals and
Public Policy.
OFFF sat down with Nadine
to find out what it takes to move
legislation and policy forward to
improve the protection and treatment

4 Our Four-Footed Friends | Spring 2016

Nadine speaking at Humane Lobby Day 2016 at the Massachusetts State House.

of animals in Massachusetts. Here’s
what she had to say…
OFFF: When you’re working with
partners on animal welfare legislation,
what are your priorities?
Nadine Pellegrini: When developing
any new legislation, I always ask myself,
“is this law fair” and “is this law clear on
who it affects and how it affects them?”
Answering “yes” to both questions is
important for two reasons. First, the
law needs to be able to withstand
scrutiny by the courts. Secondly,
and most importantly, it should help
the people being affected by the law
understand its parameters and give
them a chance to comply.
OFFF: Is your focus on educating the
people that the laws affect, so that the
situation doesn’t get to a point where
taking legal action is necessary?
NP: Yes! Educating the community
about our local and state laws is my top
priority. Laws prohibit and dictate, but
I want people to understand the law,
agree to follow it, and do this all on

their own without animal control or law
enforcement having to intervene.
OFFF: Humane Lobby Day in
Massachusetts was on April 6.
What legislation are you focusing
on right now?
NP: The ARL is working with other
members of the Citizens for Farm
Animal Protection coalition to help get
a bill on the 2016 ballot that mandates
that egg-laying hens, veal calves, and
pigs in Massachusetts be given the
basic right to be able to lay down, turn
around, and spread their wings.
The ARL is also supporting legislation
that would allow officers to enter a
vehicle to assist an animal that might be
in danger due to extreme heat or cold.
OFFF: How do you feel about
taking legal action in animal
hoarding situations?
NP: Cases of animal hoarding are
increasingly more frequent and complex
in nature. There is no “right” answer.
When it comes to cases involving the
“overwhelmed caregiver” for example,

“I have the support of the
entire ARL organization —
dedicated individuals who
want, can, and do make real
change for animals.”

Ta k ing Action for A nimals

— Nadine Pellegrini,
ARL’s Director of
Advocacy
taking criminal legal action may not
always be the solution. There are
typically many other factors involved.
There may be deterioration of mental
or physical health or domestic abuse.
The goal in these situations is to help
the person(s) involved reduce the
number of animals that they care for
to a more manageable level.
OFFF: Recently the “Puppy Mill Bill”
Ordinance was passed in Boston
banning the sale of puppies, kittens,
and rabbits from commercial breeding
facilities. Would you consider this
legislation successful?
NP: Yes, I think the passing of the
“Puppy Mill Bill” is a small step in the
right direction. It doesn’t put all puppy
mills out of business, but it does stop
the source of animals from coming into
Boston. There’s still more to do!
The only way to make lasting change
is by educating the public. We need to
remind consumers that impulsively
purchasing a pet from a store or
parking lot is not a good idea for
many reasons. There is no information
about the animal’s health or behavioral
history. There’s also no accountability
on the “sellers” end, so if the animal
becomes ill or worse, the buyer is left
in a difficult situation. More often than
not, these animals end up in shelters.
OFFF: What do you hope to achieve
in your role as Director of Advocacy
at the ARL?
NP: As a former prosecutor who has a
passion for animals, I’m fortunate to be
able to help advance laws and programs
for their protection and safety.
I have the support of the entire ARL
organization — dedicated individuals
who want, can, and do make real
change for animals in our community.

Roz,
Adopted

ARL Celebrates the Passage
of “Puppy Mill Bill”
This past March, the Boston City Council approved
the “Puppy Mill Bill” which prohibits Boston pet stores
from selling puppies, kittens, and rabbits obtained from
commercial breeding facilities. The bill also prohibits
roadside sales of animals..
In recent years, ARL’s law enforcement team has seen an
increase in underage, unvaccinated puppies and kittens sold
in parks and public places. Concern about the treatment of
animals in large-scale commercial breeding operations also
inspired our support for legislative action.
“We are grateful to the Boston City Council for
taking action for animals,” said ARL’s President, Mary
Nee. “The more we do to prevent inhumane breeders
from growing their business in Massachusetts, the
more we improve the safety and health of animals in
our communities.”
Mayor Marty Walsh immediately signed the ordinance
and the ban on sales in public parks and city streets took
immediate effect. The ban on sales of puppies, kittens,
and rabbits in pet stores in Boston will take effect on
December 31, 2017.

Congratulations to the ARL’s Boston Marathon Charity Team
Thanks to the generosity of the
John Hancock Non-profit Marathon
Program, four compassionate runners
— Andrea Fondulas, Jillian Reig, Alexis
Sheehan, and Marco Tropeano —
trained through bitter cold this winter
to get ready for the 120th running
of the Boston Marathon.
Not only did our dedicated team
commit to a rigorous training schedule,
they also worked tirelessly to raise over
$30,000 to help animals in need.
For Jillian Reig, finding the inspiration
to meet the challenge was easy. “This

was my first marathon. The only cause
that would motivate me to train all
winter and run 26.2 miles is helping
animals in need. They do not have
voices of their own, so I am grateful for
this opportunity.”
Team member Alexis Sheehan joined
the team for the second year in a row.
She explains, “My experience last year
on team ARL instilled a deep passion
and appreciation for how the ARL seeks
to save animal’s lives, raise the standards
of animal advocacy, change animal
legislation, and inspire our community.”

Thank you
John Hancock,
the members of
our marathon team,
and everyone
who supported
their extraordinary
efforts.

The Christine Barton Feline Suite
Longtime Volunteer Leaves Legacy
at ARL’s Boston Shelter
Earlier this year, volunteers and staff
gathered together at ARL’s Boston
shelter to dedicate the newly renovated
Feline Suite in memory of longtime
volunteer, Christine Barton.
A feline friend, photographer, and
mentor, Christine spent countless hours
caring for the animals at the ARL —
right up until losing her battle with
cancer in the Summer of 2015.
Christine’s devotion to animals
spanned from sitting for long periods
of time with a shy cat to waiting for the
perfect photo of a rambunctious puppy.
Her final wish was to have one more
chance to visit the ARL’s Boston shelter.
The Feline Suite, dedicated in
Christine’s name, gives challenging
6 Our Four-Footed Friends | Spring 2016

cats a second chance. The home-like
setting gives shy and fractious cats the
quiet space they need to rehabilitate and
ultimately find a permanent home. In
this space, volunteers and staff can carry
on Christine’s work to care for the cats
in residence there.
“Nothing made Christine happier
than to see once challenging cats
flourish and find a new home,”
explained Debby Vogel, ARL’s Volunteer
and Educational Programs Manager.
“Christine frequently said that she just
wanted to do good.”
Funding for the Christine Barton
Feline Suite was generously donated by
the Gelnaw family.

Challenging cats get a second chance
thanks to ARL’s new feline suite.

Thank you

to Christine Barton
for her many years of
dedicated service to animals
in need at the ARL!
…And to the Gelnaw family
for their generous
donation to help give
struggling cats a chance
to find a loving home!

Linus
Adopted

“I foster dogs to give them
a chance that they might
not otherwise have.
I love seeing the rewarding
results from nurturing
puppies. My goal and hope
is to see my foster puppies
take the next step of being
adopted by a loving
person or family.”
— Susan Lowell,
ARL Foster Parent

ARL Introduces Foster Care
Ambassador Program

“All animals deserve time
out of the shelter in a loving
home while waiting to be
adopted. ARL’s new FCAP
program will give animals
the opportunity to do just
that- and give our shelters
room for more animals
in the process!”
— Maryann Regan,
ARL’s Director of
Shelter Operations

This spring, the ARL launched its Foster Care Ambassador
Program (FCAP) in all three of its shelter locations in Boston, Brewster, and Dedham.
OFFF asked Maryann Regan, ARL’s Director of Shelter Operations, to explain how the
program will give deserving animals time out of the shelter — and help save more lives!
OFFF: What is FCAP?
Maryann Regan: FCAP is a fun and
unique way of taking ARL’s existing
foster care program to the next level.
Not only are lives saved, but space, time,
and resources are freed up inside our
shelter to care for more animals in
need. We supply simple training and
a few tools; our foster parents take
it from there!
OFFF: How does FCAP differ from
ARL’s traditional foster care program?
MR: Essentially, FCAP is not much
different than our existing foster care
program. Our traditional program is
focused on animals that are not quite
ready for adoption due to age, medical
issues, and behavioral challenges.
With FCAP, the foster parents can
bring home any animal they choose.

The biggest difference is that FCAP
empowers our foster care parents to
not only find loving homes for their
foster animals, but also to adopt out
the animals on their own. This means
doing the adoption counseling, the
paperwork that goes along with it,
receiving payments for the adoption,
and essentially sending the animal home
without the animal ever having to come
back to the shelter.
OFFF: I’m interested in becoming
a foster parent through the FCAP
program, but I don’t have any
training. Is that OK?
MR: Yes! Our expert staff will provide
you with all the training and tools
you need to make it a successful
adoption process.

If you’re interested in helping us
reach our goal to save more animals
in need, we encourage you to apply
to the FCAP program to see what
it’s all about!

For more information
on FCAP or to apply,
contact Debby Vogel,
ARL’s Volunteer
and Educational
Programs Manager at
dvogel@arlboston.org
or (617) 266-5670.

arlboston.org 7

WINTER RESCUES
Pepito: Quincy Cat Saved from Bitter Cold
On a frigid February day, a little housecat went missing in Quincy,
Massachusetts. Pepito had been missing for several days until he
was spotted wedged underneath a wooden shed in his owner’s yard.
ARL’s Rescue Services team was called to help.
Too scared to come out on his own, the rescue team tried to free
him using nets, but were unable to reach into the small space.
“Cramped working conditions and extreme cold made the rescue
a bit challenging,” explained Brian O’Connor, ARL’s Manager of
Rescue Services.
After exhausting many other options to free Pepito, the team
decided to try another tool commonly used in their rescues: a slim
pole with a circular loop on the end.
By sliding the pole under the shed very slowly and carefully,
ARL’s rescue services was able to grab hold of Pepito and pull him
out from under the make-shift shelter.

Pepito was stuck under a shed for several days.

Other than feeling thirsty and hungry, Pepito was healthy and
was quickly returned to his home, safe and warm.

Frankie: Dog Reunited with His
Family After Fleeing from Car Crash

Earlier this year, a tiny dog found himself
in a very scary situation. While driving along
Revere Beach Parkway one Friday night,
Frankie, the tan Chihuahua, and his owner
got into a terrible car crash.
Startled and afraid from the collision,
Frankie jumped out of the vehicle and fled
from the scene of the accident. Meanwhile,
Frankie’s owner was taken to the hospital for
the injuries he sustained in the crash.
The next morning, Frankie was spotted
running down Interstate 93 South.
Fortunately, a good Samaritan spotted
him and pulled over to pick him up. He
immediately contacted ARL’s Rescue Services
to help reunite the dog with his owner.
After hours of searching, they were in
luck! Thanks to a social media post from
Missing Dogs Mass, the rescue team was
able to match Frankie with the missing
dog’s description.

Frankie was safely returned to his family.

8 Our Four-Footed Friends

Frankie’s owner was contacted and he was
reunited with his family the very next day.
By all accounts, Frankie is back home and
doing great!

Bark

if you love our
2015 media and
corporate partners

!

Thank you for demonstrating your commitment to
improving the protection and treatment of animals in
our community by supporting programs, events, and public
education campaigns at the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

Show your customers
and employees how
much you care about
keeping animals safe
and healthy!
For more information
about sponsorship and
support opportunities
for your business, contact
Caitlin Oates, Manager,
President’s Council, at
(617) 226-5690 or
coates@arlboston.org
arlboston.org

9

Stitch
On a very cold day this past
January, an emaciated dog was found
abandoned in Dedham, Massachusetts.
A concerned citizen contacted Dedham
Animal Control after discovering the
2-year-old Pit Bull-type dog shivering in
the frigid air and clearly suffering from
extreme starvation.
Due to his weakened state and no
means to identify him, the ARL was
called in for emergency assistance.
“This dog was cruelly abandoned,”
explains Lt. Alan Borgal, ARL’s Director
of Law Enforcement. “He had no body
fat to speak of and could have easily
died of exposure in the cold if he wasn’t
found so quickly.”
10 Our Four-Footed Friends | Spring 2016

Abandoned Dog with
Rare Condition Finds Comfort
in His Final Moments

Though he was clearly weak and sore,
the dilute brindle dog, given the name
Stitch, greeted everyone he met with a
friendly tail wag. He happily accepted
cheek scratches and kind attention
at the ARL’s Boston shelter.
While the Dedham Police
Department’s Animal Control
Division followed up on leads related
to his case, Stitch received extensive
medical assistance from the ARL.
“Stitch was very weak and needed
round-the-clock care,” explained
Dr. Erin Doyle, ARL’s Lead Shelter
Veterinarian. “We monitored his
condition very closely.”

Unfortunately for Stitch, his body
was not responding well to re-feeding,
a medically-guided process of
providing nutrition after a period of
deprivation. This is common in cases
of extreme malnutrition.
To ensure that Stitch had no
underlying conditions that might be
interfering with re-feeding efforts,
the ARL ordered extensive diagnostic
tests. Sadly, the results were not good:
the tests revealed that Stitch had a
muscular condition affecting his
ability to digest food and water called
“megaesophagus.”
Several diseases can result in
megaesophagus. An animal can also
be born with a defect that produces it.

The Massachusetts
Animal Cruelty and Protection
Task Force

Two-year old Stitch arrived at the ARL
starved and shivering from the cold.

Unfortunately, the results of further
testing ruled out the more treatable causes
of this condition in Stitch. When he was
unable to take water on his own any longer,
Stitch’s weakened state and the severity of his
condition brought us to the point where the
most humane decision was to put him to sleep.

“Stitch closed out his short life
with dignity, respect, and love —
the way a dog should be treated.”
— Lt. Alan Borgal,
ARL’s Director of Law Enforcement
While we are heartbroken he came to us too
late to save, we are grateful to have been there
to surround him with kindness and caring in
his final days.

On behalf of
everyone at the ARL,

Thank you

for the outpouring
of support and information
about Stitch and for your
continued concern for
animals in need!

In August 2013, the ARL responded to the case of “Puppy
Doe”, a puppy who was systematically and severely tortured over
several months. Puppy Doe’s injuries were so extensive; she was
humanely euthanized by the veterinary hospital that first saw
her. Following this, ARL conducted a forensic analysis of Puppy
Doe’s injuries and assisted the Quincy, Massachusetts Police
Department with the investigation. From this work a suspect
was identified and formally charged with cruelty to animals. At
this time the case is awaiting trial.
This historic case gained widespread media attention and
brought forward many animal supporters across Massachusetts
who wanted to seek justice for Puppy Doe and other animals in
need like her.
One significant response to Puppy Doe was Massachusetts
Senate Bill 2345, “An Act Protecting Animal Welfare and
Safety” (PAWS) that was approved and signed into law on
August 20, 2014 by Governor Patrick. This legislation increased
the maximum penalties for animal cruelty from 5 to 7 years
in prison and from a $2,500 to a $5,000 fine. It also creates
enhanced penalties for repeat offenders; up to 10 years in prison
and up to a $10,000 fine.
The law also created the Massachusetts Animal Cruelty and
Protection Task Force to undertake a systematic review of laws
pertaining to animal cruelty and protection.
ARL’s President, Mary Nee, is an appointed member of the task
force along with key representatives and animal welfare experts
from across the state. ARL’s Director of Law Enforcement, Lt.
Alan Borgal and ARL’s Director of Advocacy, Nadine Pellegrini,
also participate as non-voting members, contributing to the
research and discussion of cruelty and neglect issues.
The task force expects to release a report with recommendations
for legislative and policy action in the summer of 2016.
Sadly, thousands of animals like Puppy Doe and Stitch will
suffer from abuse and neglect every year in Massachusetts.
We all have a role to play in prevention. We urge the public to
contact their local animal control officers anytime they suspect
animal cruelty.

For more information on how
you can help prevent animal cruelty,
visit arlboston.org/take-action.
arlboston.org

11

ARL Helps 52 Animals in Need on World Spay Day
On the 22nd Annual National
World Spay Day, ARL’s Spay Waggin’
pulled into Falmouth Petco to host
its very first It’s Hip to Snip Free
Spay-Neuter-A-Thon.
Celebrated on the last Tuesday of
every February, National World Spay
Day shines a spotlight on the power of
affordable, accessible spay and neuter to
prevent pet overpopulation.
Thanks to a generous grant from Cold
Noses Foundation, Dr. Kyle Quigley,
ARL’s Lead Veterinarian for Community
Veterinary Services, welcomed 52 cat
and dog patients aboard the mobile
surgical unit for free spay/neuter services
during the two day event.
“Spaying or neutering your cat or dog
offers very important health benefits,”
says Dr. Quigley. “Yet finding affordable
options can pose a challenge for many
pet owners on Cape Cod.”

Dr. Kyle Quigley
during and after
performing neuter
surgery on one
of his many Spay
Waggin’ clients.

He explains that for many Cape
Cod residents, the Spay Waggin’ is
a great affordable option that offers
exceptional care.
In 2016, the Spay Waggin’ will visit

Cape Cod on the third Tuesday
of every month. Visits will rotate
between Falmouth Petco and
The International Fund for Animal
Welfare (IFAW) in Yarmouth.

Public Awareness Campaign
Shares Importance
of Spay/Neuter
It’s hip to snip! That’s the important message the ARL shared with pet
owners during National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month this past February.
“There are too many cats and dogs in our communities that don’t have
homes,” explains Dr. Edward Schettino, ARL’s Vice President of Animal
Welfare. “If we can increase spay and neuter rates, we can keep more
animals from getting left out in the cold.”
Through radio public service announcements, billboard ads along I-93,
social media, a two day Spay-Neuter-A-Thon event, and most importantly
— YOUR SUPPORT — the ARL was able to help break down barriers to
getting pets spayed and neutered.
The ARL also ran a two-week “It’s Hip to Snip” fund drive during the
month of February to help bring more high-quality affordable spay/neuter
services to animals in need.
In just 14 days, your generous donations turned a $5K challenge
donation from the Ellen B. Grey Memorial Fund into $20K for spay and
neuter! All donations went directly to the ARL’s community spay and
neuter programs including the Spay Waggin’, the ARL’s mobile
surgical unit.
Last year, more than 5,595 cats, dogs, small animals, and livestock
were spayed or neutered through the ARL’s mobile Spay Waggin’, shelter
medicine, and feral cat programs… and there’s still more to do in 2016 to
prevent pet overpopulation!

FIV-Positive Big B Finds
Forever Home
When Big B, a rugged 6-year-old
gentleman cat, first arrived at the ARL,
he was very timid about meeting new
people. Yet shyness was not his biggest
challenge to finding a new home
— he had tested positive for Feline
Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
Cats with FIV have immune systems
that don’t work as well as other cats; but
can often live a long and healthy life just
like any other feline.
Because he was shy, older, and would
need to live in a one-cat household, Big
B had a difficult time finding a home.
ARL staff and volunteers worked with
Big B to make him comfortable in ARL’s
Boston shelter, giving him lots of one-

on-one attention. They got to know his
likes and dislikes, and discovered he
was happiest to just be around people
and “listen” to their conversations.
After almost 7 months of patiently
waiting, Big B finally met his perfect
match! It was love at first sight for his
new owner who renamed him Ravioli
because, well, he looks like one!
“Ravioli has filled my life with so
much love!” exclaimed his owner
Aislinn. “He’s become so much more
social [at home]. He’s the man of the
house and I spoil him rotten. Thanks
to everyone at ARL. Your work is so
special and important!”

Big B (now Ravioli) with
new owner Aislinn.

Wilson
Overcomes
Leghold
Trap Ordeal
This past summer, a concerned
citizen spotted a 6-year-old stray orange
and white cat struggling with a heavy
contraption attached to his right leg.
Officials later identified the metal object
as an illegal steel leghold trap.
The injured cat, later named Wilson,
was rushed to an animal hospital to treat
his front right leg and paw.
A few days later, Wilson arrived at
the ARL’s Boston shelter to begin his
long road to recovery. The staff and
14 Our Four-Footed Friends | Spring 2016

Legislative
Update
Wilson
lounging
around
in his
new home.

veterinarians worked with Wilson daily
to mend his wounds and get him back
up on his feet.
Miraculously, just a few days after his
ordeal, the swelling in Wilson’s right
paw was almost completely gone and he
had only a faint limp when he walked.
After spending just over two months
at the ARL, Wilson was completely
healed and adopted by his new family.
Today, Wilson is a happy and healthy
kitty loving life in his new home!

In 1996, the ARL
successfully pushed
for legislation to
prohibit the use of
body-gripping traps
in Massachusetts.
Recently, a concerning
new bill was proposed
to expand the use of
these inhumane traps.

Please visit
arlboston.org
for updates.

Pearce Learns MOD-el Behavior
In March of last year, 7-month-old
Pearce arrived at the ARL’s Boston
shelter. Adorable and playful, the
tortoise shell-colored Pittie-mix was
adopted quickly despite his jumpymouthy behavior. Pearce’s new family
enrolled him in ARL’s training courses,
confident they would help him outgrow
his puppy-like demeanor.
After several weeks without
improvement, however, his owners
made the difficult decision to return
him to the ARL. Pearce was adopted for
a second time with the same result. And,
again, for the third.
It was clear to ARL’s Behavior and
Enrichment Manager, Dot Baisly, that
Pearce’s behavior stemmed from an
underlying issue. “This dog had no
stability in his life and displayed the
tendencies of dogs that are weaned

away from their mother and littermates
too young to help them learn mouth
control,” explains Dot.
Every day for the next 5 months,
Pearce underwent intensive nose
work, kennel enrichment, obedience
training, and socializing activities. Dot
in conjunction with ARL’s Behavioral
Modification (MOD) Squad, volunteers,
staff, and outside professionals dedicated
over 100 hours to rehabilitate him.
Pearce even attended an off-site 3-week
board, train, and daycare program- and
did wonderfully!
Eight long months after he arrived
at the ARL, Pearce found a home just
in time for the holidays. The snuggly
pup has been with his mom, dad, and
feline brothers since November and has
adjusted very well! Pearce is also making
big strides in his obedience training and

Pearce takes a nap with his new dad.

is a favorite at the daycare he attends 4
times a week!
“He makes us laugh daily,” says
Pearce’s owner, Katy Hayes. “We
really appreciate the hours upon
hours that the ARL gave to Pearce
and to us to ensure that he transitioned
and adjusted in a healthy and
productive manner.”

Chicken Little Finds Her Strength

BEFORE
AFTER

Chicken Little (now Lexi) is happy
and healthy in her new home.

On an early August morning, a fragile
8-year-old dog was found abandoned in
a parking lot in Dedham, Massachusetts.
The little white pup wandered up to
a kind citizen and was whimpering
in distress.
Chicken Little, as she came to be
known, was extremely malnourished,
possibly as a result of neglect. In
addition to being severely underweight,
most of the fur had fallen out from
her stick-thin frame. The ARL was
contacted immediately to help.
“She was all skin and bones,”
describes Lt. Alan Borgal, ARL’s
Director of Law Enforcement.
“Her spine and hips were clearly
visible through her skin.”
The ARL covered Chicken Little’s
initial $410 emergency veterinary
bill and provided her with continued

medical treatment to get her up to
a healthy weight.
For several weeks, Chicken Little
recovered at the ARL’s Boston Shelter.
She slowly began to put on weight
and her fur started to grow back. Her
spunky personality began to shine and
she quickly became a staff favorite.
As soon as she was strong and
healthy enough, Chicken Little was
adopted by her new mom. By all
accounts, she is loving life in her new
home and big yard on Cape Cod.
“We renamed her Lexi and she’s just
a doll,” gushes owner Clarissa StantonMaset. “She’s very strong now and her
white and light brown fur has finally
grown in.” Clarissa adds that although
Lexi still has scars on her nose it’s
“quite endearing and a reminder of
her existence”.
arlboston.org

15

L eft B ehind , but not forgotten

MA Senate Proposes Bill to Protect Pets like
Daphne and Fig, Abandoned by Their Owners

Photos clockwise: Daphne and Fig safe after being locked in a rabbit cage. Daphne settling in at home. Fig adopted by
her new family.

At the ARL, we see cases of animal
cruelty, suffering, and neglect every
day. One of the most thoughtless
examples of this is pets that are cruelly
abandoned by their owners.
An all-too-common occurrence
in our state, Lt. Alan Borgal,
ARL’s Director of Law Enforcement,
investigates 6 to 10 animal
abandonment cases each month.
One of his most recent cases involved
Daphne and Fig, two little dogs who
had been left behind by their owners in
central Massachusetts.
The two emaciated Chihuahuas were
found locked in a small rabbit cage in a
dark closet. They had been trapped for
over a week without food or water.
The mother-daughter duo was rushed
to the ARL’s Boston shelter where they
received emergency veterinary care and
a safe place to recover.
After all they had been through, these
two sweet dogs not only regained their
16 Our Four-Footed Friends | Spring 2016

strength, but also showed off their sweet
and spunky personalities.
“It is truly awe-inspiring the way
animals can recover,” says ARL’s
President Mary Nee. “Their resilience
during difficult times and their ability
to trust and love again is truly amazing.”
After several months in foster care,
the pair was finally ready to be adopted.
Both are now healthy and happy in
their new homes!
Fortunately in the case of Daphne
and Fig, they were rescued in time.
Other animals across the state, however,
are not as lucky.
Desperate and afraid, abandoned
animals may consume contaminated
water or garbage, and can injure
themselves if they attempt to escape.
In an effort to prevent animals
like Daphne and Fig from finding
themselves in such a dire situation,
the Massachusetts State Senate
has proposed a new bill on
animal abandonment.

The bill requires that lessors, owners,
or designees of the property shall,
when they know or should know that a
property has been vacated, abandoned,
foreclosed upon, or the tenancy has
been terminated, to check the property
within 3 days for the presence of
abandoned animals.

If an abandoned animal is
found, then there must be
an immediate notification to
a humane officer, an animal
control officer, or a police
officer about the presence and
condition of the animal.
Finding abandoned pets must
be a priority for everyone in the
community. We all have a role to play
in the prevention of animal cruelty,
and together we can help protect even
more animals in need.

Hug them today,
h elp t h em tomorrow

5 Steps to Leaving a Humane Legacy
Compassionate members of our community want to create a better, more humane
community for animals…now and in the future. You can start building a humane legacy
that reflects your compassion and kindness TODAY in one of 5 ways:

•
•
•
•
•

Talk with the Animal Rescue League of Boston more about your interest in helping animals.
Include the ARL in your will or trust.
Add the ARL as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy.
Name ARL as a beneficiary of your retirement plan.
See the positive effects of your support start right away.

MEET THE PETS who inspired members of the Anna Harris Smith Legacy Society
to ensure animals in our community will get the help they need, when they need it most.

“I’m proud to support the ARL’s work for animals in need
now and in the future.”
— Kelly McKernan,
ARL Board of Directors

“I can’t think of a better way to demonstrate my eternal commitment
to the mission and work of the ARL than to become a member of
the Anna Harris Smith Legacy Society. My beloved Susie and Sidney
couldn’t agree with me more.”
— Barbara Burg, ARL Board of Directors

START THE CONVERSATION NOW…

If you have included the ARL in your estate plans or are interested in joining the
Anna Harris Smith Legacy Society, please contact Caitlin Oates, Manager,
President’s Council — (617) 226-5690 or coates@arlboston.org